Boat Show was largest gathering of boats to date

Grand Island Dispatch, September 14, 2007
Photos and story by Michael J. Owen
U.S. Navy Journalist (Ret.)

More than 150 boats participated in the 30th annual Antique Boat Show
and Race Boat Reunion held last weekend at the Buffalo Launch Club.

“The 30th annual Antique Boat Show and Race Boat Reunion held at the Buffalo Launch Club on Grand Island was a resounding success,” said the show’s chairman, Rich DeGlopper. Organized by the Niagara Frontier Chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society, according to DeGlopper, the event attracted 154 boats, 118 of them antique and 36 race boats.

This year’s show featured the 33-foot Baby Gar boats and Ventnor race and production boats. Eight Baby Gar boats “Shuffled off To Buffalo” coming from the northeast to the midwest. Six boats were in the water and two were displayed on shore.

“This was the largest gathering of these boats to date,” DeGlopper added. Built from 1922-28, only 67 were made. The boats cost $12,000 dollars then and were powered by 12-cylinder Liberty engines capable of traveling at 60 mph.

“Extremely fast for a boat that size and at it’s time, during the prohibition era the iberty engine became the motor of choice for bootleggers. Estimating their current value, one sold recently for $600,000,” he said. It was Gar Wood that modified these aircraft engines for marine purposes and put them in his Baby Gar boats. “He was truly the speed king during that era with his ‘Miss America’ race boats. His reputation for speed and innovations created a demand with sportsman and wealthy businessmen for his boats,” DeGlopper said.

DeGlopper also said that Ventnor race and production boats were featured at the show. Peter Kreissle of Bradenton, Fla., brought his 1937 Gold Cup Hydro “Juno” to the show. Peter was one of the three seminar speakers at Friday afternoon’s series. He spoke about the history of his boat that was produced by the Ventnor Boat Works of New Jersey.

According to DeGlopper, one totally unrestored boat was donated to the Niagara boat chapter. The boat is a 1935 29-foot Richardson built in North Tonawanda.

“Over the winter the club will be restoring the boat at the Buffalo State College Maritime Center,” he said.

Twenty-four individuals signed up at the show to work on this project. Once completed, the boat will be on display at the new Maritime Heritage Center of WNY that will be located in the former Remington Rand Building on the Erie Canal.

“The club is excited about our new home, which will be a living and working museum where the public can watch boats and motors being restored. The place will display the rich boat building, engine manufacturing and boat racing history of our area,” said DeGlopper.

At the show, the Niagara Frontier Chapter also accepted the donation of a 6-cylinder Sterling Marine engine that was manufactured on Niagara Street in Buffalo. George Kreissle of Sarasota, Fla., donated this mammoth engine weighing 5,100 pounds and having four spark plugs for each cylinder.

Last weekend’s event also featured a variety of boats from runabouts to cruisers, plus various nautical land displays, model race boats, manufacturers and 80 antique cars.

“Meticulously prepared and displayed by owners, every boat and car glistened under Saturday’s afternoon sun. And even though pouring rain deterred most boats from making the annual run around the island Sunday morning, thousands of spectators enjoyed what most call one of Western New York’s premiere events,” he continued. “Our show is the second largest in the United States and draws many participants, including landlubbers to the island each year.”

Pictured cruising on a 33-foot Baby Gar boat named “Whooter,” are, from left, Rich DeGlopper, Rebecca Stahl and Carol Wesp. They enjoyed a Saturday afternoon run off Grand Island’s Buffalo Launch Club at the 30th annual Antique Boat Show and Race Boat Reunion. The boat’s owner is Jean Hoffman of Lake George.

Among those participants, the excitement was obvious as the show opened with six Gar Baby boats running together in a V formation in front of the launch club. Lee and Penny Anderson came from Brainerd, Minn., to share among the excitement and vintage boats. They own the “Sea Wolf,” built in 1927.

“It’s great seeing six of the eight remaining Baby Gars in one place. We know who the owners are, but had not met several of them until today,” said Lee.

“It was just like a 1920s off-shore speed boat, meaning a smooth ride,” said Bob Graf of Tonawanda after riding in Todd Warmer’s replica Baby Gar.

“This is the best event of the year. There’s something for everyone,” said Islander Greg Doxtater. “As summer begins, I look forward to the roar of the engines and seeing friends from the Island. Being around all these antique boats and cars really brings back the wonder of bygone days.”

Jamie Seyler and her son Alex were also having a great time watching the races of a bygone era.

“What a beautiful day for boat racing. It’s like an historic event. You just have to come out and appreciate it,” said Jamie as the vintage boats raced by.

And they do, as appreciative visitors come year after year. Returning to the show again was Ken Warby, holder of the speed record for three decades as “the fastest man on water in the world,” driving the “Spirit of Australia” at 317.60 mph. He came this year with a Chaparral 17 ½-foot Australian Flat Bottom boat packing 1,000 hp. “This is a premiere event and I wouldn’t miss it,” he said.

Donald Bergdorf also returned this year bringing his 24-foot 1959 Chris Craft Sport Utility named “Knock On Wood,” followed by his wife. Last year he came to the show farthest by water through the Erie Canal, sailing a round trip of nine days and visiting his daughters in Oneida and Brockport along the way.

“It was a beautiful experience going through 35 locks and 15 lift bridges, yet my wife would only follow me by car. So this year I pulled my boat with a truck and my wife still followed me in the car,” he said, grinning. “Either way, we look forward to coming to Grand Island every year.” His father was a member of the Buffalo Launch Club from 1950-80.

According to Weston Hoddick, a native of Tonawanda and past commander of the launch club, this event is another opportunity to showcase the club as one of the oldest powerboat squadrons in the world.

“We’re honored to have the Baby Gars here from all America. Our area is rich in tradition, heritage and power boating, and this event is just a small part of what we should be proud of in Western New York,” said Hoddick. He also noted that the club has 92 slips and can accommodate 200 of the smaller antique and classic boats. “Few facilities can host this event in calm waters and a safe environment. Whether you bring your mother, grandmother or children, our docks are stable and safe for people to walk on while enjoying the show.”

Among all the thunderous sights and sounds of the weekend’s event on the mighty Niagara, Patty Wydra talked about her late husband and their 1953 woodie named “Patty’s Dream.” A member of the Island’s Golden Age Center, she seemed to sum up why another large part of the crowd returns each year: “Even if you don’t go boating much anymore, there are so many wonderful memories, and I love seeing old friends. Good memories and old friends, that’s what it’s all about on the Niagara River.”